The Washington critic., 1887-05-20
THE COMING CROWD.

The outlook for the National Drill
next week is encouraging, and the
gentlemen who have devoted so much
time, attention and downright hard
work TO this enterprise have the sin.
cerest wishes of THE CRITIC for q
measure of success far beyond their
expectations. The time Of the year
chosen is the most favorable for any
outdoor demonstration In Washington,
the object in view is highly laudable
one, the exhibition from military
standpoint will doubtless be of great
interest, and over three-fourths of the
thirty eight States of the Union will be
represented In Its encampment. This
being the case, we feel assured that 1t
will not only prove an entertaining at
traction to the residents of Washington
and immediate vicinity, but be the
means of drawing here thousands of
visitors from all parts of the country,
who will thus be enabled to wit.
ness the most admirable display
of citizen soldiery ever made in
time of peace, and also TO see
the wonders and beauties of the Ma.
tional Capital under most auspicious
conditions. We are not aware that the
railroad companies have taken any
special interest In the matter but
the occasion is of such truly ma.
tional character that every State which
sends military organization to
participate In the maneuvers may be
expected TO send full quota besides of
unupiformed visitors, Every company
In camp will have It's friends and
admirers along to enjoy the sport and
swell the crowd. The chances are that
more people will be here next week by
several thousands than have been In
WI shington during any single week
since the war.
In the meantime the management
have taken the wisest possible course
in reducing the price Of general admis.
sion from fifty to twenty five cents.
This will double the attendance at least.
Thousands of people who, at the larger
price, would visit the drill but once or
twice, will now take In the whole week.
There's big difference between $3.50
and SO. 1t Is safe to say now that the
receipts for admission will cover the
outlay; and 1t Is no more than fair that
the public spirited gentlemen who have
put up their money on the enterprise
with such liberality should be seen
safely through 1t. The success of the
Drill will reflect great honor not only
upon them, but upon the people who
contribute TO this object by their pa
tronage. 1t is matter in which every
citizen has direct personal interest.
THE action of the Chicago building
interests, in the promulgation of a new
Declaration Of Independence" which
asserts the principle of absolute con-
troll Of their own business, forces the
labor question to sharp and direct
issue. 1t utterly ignores the right of
outside dictation as to whom shall be
employed or at what rate of wages, or
the right of any organized body to In.
terfere with the freedom of working
men as to whom they shall work fol
or what they shall receive for theil
services. This ia returning to frs
principles. How 1t will be responded
to by the Knights Of Labor remains to
be seen, but It's immediate effect viii
probably be TO intensity existing an
tagonisms. The knights cannot accep
the new situation without complete
surrender of the positions they have
hitherto maintained.